3rd's Edge Top of the Table Clash

Saturday 15th November 2014

STAFFORD 3rd XV 20 - 22 LEEK 3rd XV

On Saturday 3rd placed Leek 3rd XV travelled to top of the table Stafford. For a fixture Leek had to win to keep their hopes of challenging for the league title alive.
As in the past 4-5 fixtures Leek travelled with a full strength squad with subs to spare which is showing the commitment and camaraderie of the 3rd team squad to date.
Bolstered by the experience of Paddy Lawler playing at unfamiliar inside centre Leek started the better of the two teams.
Between the 2, Leek were the first to put points on the board when, with a penalty awarded for not releasing at the tackle, captain Hicks opted to go for the points and "fly half" Jack Whitfield dully obliged.
Stafford where not top for no reason other than they knew how to play, and they soon came back to match Leek with an identical 3 points awarded for the same offence.
This is how the game panned out each side matching each other for points until Leek gained the upper hand going into half time leading 9-12.
The 2nd half started as the Jack Whitfield show as last season's colts "Fly Half"
"became" a senior player with intelligent kicking from hand , a try, conversion, and drop goal t'boot, earning him a "man of match" award from his team mates.
However Stafford did not give up the fight and with a breakaway try by their wing and a penalty try awarded for obstructing a player by Alcock, it enabled Stafford to almost salvage a win from the jaws of defeat. However it was not to be and Leek 3rd XV were able to return to base having now beaten the 3 previously top teams above them AND retain the inter club " bush tucker trial "competition for the 2nd season running.
Captain Hicks said afterwards " we now have a healthy mix of youth and experience to carry us forward to the end of the season, with us now having beaten the top 3 above us, we have no reason to fear anybody and with a bit of luck we could emulate our first teams previous season"
Next week we have an away game to Aldridge all players wishing to join the fun meet at Esterchem Park 11.30

Report Author:

Rob Hicks